we found that there were fewer wrong-site procedures in the places
that use their initials. We don't have an explanation as to why, but I
can theorize it's because when the surgeon is required to use his ini-
tials, you know it's the surgeon marking it, whereas anybody on the
staff can write "yes." It's also important the marked site is visible
when the patient is prepped and draped. There's a lot of emphasis on
making the mark, and very little emphasis on actually using the mark.
If you get in the OR and you're prepping the leg for surgery, that mark
should be visible. That way if you don't see it, you know you're proba-
bly prepping the wrong leg. Finally, during the time out, that mark
should be specifically pointed out. Think of it as the way the patient is
participating in the time out. That mark on the left knee is saying
"here, here, here!"
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January 2015 | O U T PAT I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T
